All hair should be pampered, but relaxed hair requires special treatment due to its processed nature.
Relaxing the hair may cause hair to become brittle, dry and damaged. Correctly relaxing the hair and properly caring for hair with protein and moisturizing treatments afterwards can help reverse any damage caused.

How to Achieve Perfectly Relaxed Hair

The key to achieving perfectly relaxed hair is determining your individual hair type, and then relaxing it accordingly.
Hair types vary from person to person. Each hair type is classified according to a group classification and then given an individual classification based upon its natural state. Naturally relaxing hair can have many beneficial effects like faster growth, along with healthier hair and scalp.

Prepare Your Hair for Relaxation

There are two commercial versions for relaxing African hair. One contains lye and the other does not. However, deeply conditioning the hair can usually achieve much of the same results - safely, but the results are temporarily. For both commercial relaxers and homemade versions, follow the below steps.

What you shouldn't do after chemically relaxing your hair

If you want to permanently color and relax your hair, you must relax it first before you color it

.

You can do this after you've treated and neutralized the hair. A permanent color and relaxer cannot be processed on the same day because the scalp cannot withstand the hydrogen peroxide that is contained in a permanent color. Doing the two treatment on the same day will burn or sting the scalp. If you want to color your hair, it is recommended to consult a stylist rather than making your own recipe. Do not place permanent coloring on your hair after its been chemically treated. Lack of moisture will break and damage the hair. A hairdresser may recommend semi-permanent dye on a relaxed hair for less damage.

Limit heating the hair. As much as possible, limit the use of hot styling tools and hot blow dryers. If you use a blow dryer, apply a protective leave-in conditioner first and adjust it to the coolest heat. If you want to curl your hair, use rollers instead.

Natural

Pros:

Cons:

Can have short-term results.

Many methods to choose from.

Conditioning Options for Different Hair Types

The following homemade conditioners are classified by the three major hair types. Conditioners, when applied to the African hair types, can also cause the hair to relax. They can be used on any hair type, but may be more effective for the hair they are classified for.

This hair type is usually smooth and sensitive. It needs proper care in order to avoid damage.

Olive Oil Simply heat enough olive oil to cover the entire length of your hair after shampooing. Gently massage it on your scalp, and work it to the ends of your hair. Warp it with a wet towel that has been soaked in hot water, and leave it on your hair for 2 hours. Rinse your hair until you don't feel oil on your hair. This will take longer than you think.

Olive Oil and Natural Conditioner Simply mix olive oil into your Conditioner. After shampooing, heat a cup olive oil before adding the conditioner (any natural conditioner), then put it on your hair evenly and wrap it with a towel. Leave it on your hair for 15 minutes. Rinse your hair until you do not feel any of the oil left on the hair. This will take quite a bit of rinsing. Comb your hair evenly.

Coconut Milk Coconut milk works well on Caucasian hair. After shampooing, apply it to your hair then leave it for 15 minutes before you rinse it out.

The following recipes are good for African hair to both relax it and help define the natural curl patterns.

Cocoa Butter Cocoa butter will help protect from any further damage and it is available at many stores. Simply melt the butter, apply to your hair. Leave it on for at least 20-minutes wrapped with a hot towel. After 20-minutes rinse off with warm water.

Milk Milk has a natural relaxing component. Just like you would apply oil to your hair, apply milk evenly. Leave on hair for 10 to 20 minutes then wash your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo. You can also combine milk cream and honey instead of plain milk.

Coconut Milk and Lime Mix half a cup coconut milk and one lime in a bowl and leave it for a couple of hours until it becomes frothy. Use a spoon to remove the froth on top of the mixture and apply the milky liquid to your hair. Leave it on for 1 to 2 hours, then rinse your hair with lukewarm water until all residue has been removed. Wrapping the head isn't necessary.

Yogurt Yogurt has a relaxing property as well but only mildly so. Yogurt is also good to treat dandruff. Simply apply it on your hair, and leave it on for at least 10 minutes. Rinse it with running water and let hair dry. Style it as desired.

Homemade Deep Conditioning/Relaxing Recipes

If you do not want to chemically straighten your hair, the following home remedies may be just what you need. These homemade hair relaxers will help soften your hair while loosening the curls, making your hair more manageable.

Additional Tips and Suggestions

You can substitute castor oil for coconut oil if you do not have castor oil.

Molasses is just an option. Don't worry if you don't have any. You'll still see great results.

After you shampoo your hair, make sure you hair dries before then your homemade hair relaxers.

If you are really bothered by the smell of your relaxed hair, you may try co-washing. Co-washing your hair means you wash your hair using hair conditioner instead of shampoo. Hair conditioners can make your hair smooth and manageable. And it will also retain its natural oils. You may also try daily rinse-out hair treatment as conditioner as it will revive your hair. Daily rinse-out treatment conditioners are better than any other conditioners, because they contain nutrients while smoothing your hair.

You may want to change your regular shampoo to a sulfate-free shampoo. Shampoos with sulfates can cause your hair to become dry and it can strip away nutrients.

Get into the habit of moisturizing and sealing your hair. You may use a light moisturizer such as Neutrogena's Triple Moisture silk Touch Leave in and light oil such as seed oil.

Do not forget protein treatments. Protein will strengthen your hair after the breakdown of the bonds during the relaxing process. Relaxed hair needs more protein than natural hair in order to rebuild the structure of the hair.

Naturally curly or wavy hair is usually dry. Shampooing once a day may be too much, as it dries out the hair further.

Warnings

When applying a relaxer - if at any time your scalp begins to burn - rinse off the relaxer as quickly as possible.

Too often straightening your hair can damage it. Ask your hairdresser for advice. Different products have different directions. According to some hairdressers, every 6 to 8 weeks is usual for the next treatment, but it depends on the product, and how quickly the hair grows.

The chemicals of the relaxer should be thoroughly rinsed out otherwise it can cause breakage.

Always avoid getting any chemical product in your eyes. If you do, rinse your eyes thoroughly if this happens!

Resources

Questions and Answers

Can I relax my hair and wash my hair with normal shampoo?

Yes, it is fine for you to use normal shampoo to wash your hair after you have relaxed your hair. More important than washing your hair following a relaxing treatment, is to condition your hair.

After applying relaxer on the hair, a shampoo should follow, but with the right kind of shampoo, like Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Creamy Aloe Shampoo. This will neutralize the relaxer. Relaxers should not stay long on the hair, as it will build up and make the hair dry due to over-processing. After you use Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Aloe shampoo, you should follow-up with a deep protein conditioner.

Use a conditioner to restore natural oils that have been stripped by chemicals. A conditioner is applied after the hair has been towel dried and neutralizer is rinsed off. Relaxed hair usually holds onto dulling residue and is more porous, so you must rinse out the hair products and shampoo thoroughly.

Newly relaxed hair is usually a lot drier. Use moisturizing shampoo created for chemically processed hair such as Phytonectar and Phytojoba Shampoo for relaxed or chemically straightened hair, and Phytologie's Phytocitrus Shampoo for chemically treated hair.

Does sulfate free shampoo work like neutralizing shampoo?

Yes, sulfate-free shampoos can work like neutralizing shampoos. In fact, there are shampoos formulated without sulfates that neutralize the hair wonderfully. Sulfate-free shampoos moisturize the hair deeply; this is necessary for chemically treated hair.

Yes, Sulfate-free shampoo and Neutralizing shampoo are very similar. They are both good for your hair, and they are also good for treating chemically damaged hair. Sulfate-free shampoos have no Sulfates, which are bad for the hair, while Neutralizing shampoo help to neutralize the PH level of the hair, making your hair healthier.

Can organic root simulator be used to wash relaxed and dyed hair?

I need to wash my hair.

Yes, it can be used on relaxed and dyed hair. In fact, the product has a complete hair relaxer kit available. It's made of oil, which is needed for softer and shinier hair.

If you do wish to stop the process of relaxer on your hair, you can use organic root simulator. But, if you are actually thinking of using it after relaxing or dying hair, then it's not advisable. Because the organic root simulator will stop the process of the hair relaxer, and if that happens, you will need to start all over again.

Yes, there have been cases or comments from people who have successfully used this stimulator when applied to their washed, relaxed or dry hair.

Is Aveeno good for tape in extensions?

I heard that it was.

Aveeno is a good reputable brand. Yes, it is a very good brand for cleaning before and after you do anything to your hair.

What to do if your hair is dry and knotted after relaxing? Can neutralizing help?

I can't brush it.

No, you will need to use a detangler get all of the knots out of your hair, allowing you to comb through your hair successfully. It's normal for your hair to be hair and knotted after relaxing. The neutralizing will not help, because it is used to remove the chemicals left over from the relaxer.

Can I clean my hair with vinegar then perm it?

It has tons of build-up.
Not if you are using an alkaline perm, you'll start neutralizing the perm before you start, as vinegar is an acid. If the perm you are using is an acid perm, it won't affect the outcome.

After waiting 6 weeks to relax my hair after a permanent color how do I apply a perm without over-processing my hair?

I'd like to do it at home.

Then you should not have any problems, but to avoid over processing your hair during relaxing, you need to watch the application time and your hair carefully for any signs of damage during the process. Condition your hair like crazy following any chemical treatment. Excellent recipes can found above.

How long will it take for hair to grow after using a 2-minute keratin protein re-constructor on relaxed hair?

I want my hair to grow longer so I can style it for my birthday party.

Keratin protein re-constructor is known to increase hair growth by about 50% of the normal process. Of course, this is when you use it on a regular basis. Also, keeping yourself constantly hydrated and eating healthy food will also help in speeding up hair growth.